A Rare Look at Early Russian Culture Comes to Hand Art Center

Cory Lancaster September 30, 2017
Stetson assistant history professor Mayhill Fowler
colorful Russian vase
Pavel Ovchinnikov’s Enamel on Gold Bowl, Gold over Silver with polychromed filigree enamel, 1910. On loan from the Gary R. Libby Charitable Trust

Stetson University’s Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center is exhibiting “Tradition and Innovation in Russian Art” through Oct. 14.

As 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, the focus of the exhibit will be the impact of the revolution on modern art.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience history through the interpretation of pre-revolution icons, photographs and Fabergé pieces, as well as post revolution sculpture and lectures by experts in Russian art and culture. Several scheduled events surrounding this special exhibit will be held at the Hand Art Center. All are free and open to the public, and include:

Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.: Book Discussion with Mayhill Fowler, Ph.D.

Assistant History Professor Mayhill Fowler, Ph.D., will discuss her new book, “Beau Monde at Empire’s Edge: State and Stage in Soviet Ukraine.” Fowler will also moderate a discussion with Daniil Zavlunov, Ph.D., a musicologist specializing in nineteenth-century music, and Katya Kudryavtseva, Ph.D., assistant professor of Art History at Stetson. This presentation will also be held in the Hand Art Center, Seminar Room. 

Stetson assistant history professor Mayhill Fowler
Stetson Assistant Professor of History Mayhill Fowler has written a book examining the overlap between the arts and the state in the early Soviet Union.

 

If You Go
The Hand Art Center is on the Stetson University campus at 139 E. Michigan Ave., DeLand. It is open to the public free of charge.

In addition to the Vera Bluemner Kouba Collection, it has a broad collection of artwork by Stetson University students, art faculty and alumni. The 5,000-square-foot building includes multiple galleries: The Oscar Bluemner Gallery exhibits rotating selections of the artist’s work and the Gary Libby Gallery hosts exhibits from the university’s permanent art collection or special shows.

Except for holidays and university vacations, Hand Art Center is open Monday through Wednesday and Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Saturday, noon-4 p.m. All exhibits are open to the public free of charge.